Preston midfielder Alan Browne ruled out of Republic of Ireland international because of injury
Preston North End midfielder Alan Browne has been ruled out of the Republic of Ireland's Nations League clash against Wales because of injury.
Browne has a calf injury, Irish manager Martin O'Neill revealing the news at a press conference in Cardiff on Wednesday teatime to preview the Wales clash.
It is not known at this stage whether Browne will remain with the squad for next Tuesday's friendly in Poland or return to Deepdale for treatment.
The 23-year-old had been expected to start against Wales, with midfielders thin on the ground in the Ireland squad.
North End will be hoping Browne's injury quickly clears up.
They are already without midfielders Ben Pearson and Ryan Ledson through suspension, Pearson for three games while Ledson had two matches of his ban to run.
While Browne has pulled out of the Ireland squad, his PNE team-mates Callum Robinson and Graham Burke are likely to feature in the Wales game.
In fact Robinson could start, this the first time he has been available for a competitive international after declaring for the Republic of Ireland - he previously played at four age levels for England.